The Ravens will open the 2026 NFL season on the road, and Jesse Minter and defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver have enough versatile defensive backs to make Baltimore’s defense difficult to place into one formation.
Madubuike, Jones and Campbell project as the primary defensive front. Washington, Jenkins and Peebles should rotate based on down, distance and the opponent’s personnel. Campbell’s return gives Baltimore another proven interior and edge option. Hendrickson is the unit’s premier pass rusher. Green will remain heavily involved behind him, while Robinson, Young and Burke compete for snaps on the opposite edge. Burke’s length and preseason production should earn him a situational pass-rush role.
Smith remains the center of the defense.
Simpson is the safest Week 1 projection beside him because Buchanan is still completing his return from a torn ACL. Buchanan could reclaim a larger role as the season progresses. The secondary is Baltimore’s deepest unit. Wiggins and Awuzie can handle outside assignments, allowing Humphrey to move inside when necessary. Hamilton can align at safety, nickel, linebacker, or near the line of scrimmage. Starks, Hawkins, Martin, and Rivers provide Minter with additional options for three-safety and dime packages.
Baltimore may list conventional starters, but its best defensive group will depend on the matchup and Hamilton’s assignment.
Projected depth chart
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Ravens defensive depth chart: Projecting starters, rotations for Week 1
